Attic24, my precious little patch of Blogland, is now 18 months old, and during that time I sure have shared a lot of stuff with you all. Oooooodles of it.
Scattered across the weeks and months and seasons there have been hundreds upon hundreds of photographs, thousands upon thousands of words. Over three hundred posts have made the journey from my rather scatty brain and out into cyberspace to reach you.
And in return, you have repaid me with your own words. Oooooodles of them. Over eleven and a half thousand comments to date, each and every one of them read and enjoyed. Yes, it's a time consuming job these days, but I promise you I do read each and every word you write to me. Always. And I am always thrilled to hear from you each and every day, whatever you have to say, I read your words and smile and feel thankful for your friendship and enthusiasm. It touches my heart, makes me very happy indeed.
Anyhow....to the point....(don't I just ramble on sometimes, do forgive me)....
You may remember sometime last week, at the end of this post, that I showed you an armful of rather scrumptious looking yarn?? And remember I told you that there was a Story behind it? Well today The Story unfolds.
See that fantastically wrapped parcel up above there, with its jaunty striped paper? Well it was sent to me all the way from the US, by a most lovely lady called Emily. Now I've never met Emily, and she has never met me. Yet through the fantastical world of Blogland, she pops in to "see" me most days in the Attic and as a result wished to send me "a little something" by means of a thank you.
It still seems a little unreal to me, that someone would wish to thank me for doing what I dearly love, ie blathering on day after day about my rather ordinary ideas and thoughts, experiences and excitements. But there you have it. I am not one to argue with the world of Blog and all the generous delights that it brings.
But oh. My. Goodness. This perfectly wrapped gift was Generosity on an unknown scale for me. Opening this box was like stepping in to my own personal fantasy world! So many beautiful colours and textures and ribbon-wrapped goodies!!!
There was much gasping. Much exclaiming. Much oh-my-goodnes-ing. It was utterly overwhelming, in the best sort of way possible. I do believe I swooned a little.
Emily's parcel contained a couple of fabulous crochet books...
...haberdashery of the most delectable kind...
....but bestest of all it contained yarn.
Fabulous, scrumptious, delicious, heart-skippy yarn.
In the most amazing colours.
This is yarn that I've never encountered before, a chunky merino wool that is wooly, yet adorably soft. Oh, sooooooooooooooo Soft!!!!!
Words cannot describe how this yarn feels to the touch, it is an utter delight.
I've lost count of the number of times that I've scooped this yarn up and carried around the house with me, not wanting to put it down. It just begs to be cuddled, to be loved and adored and fondled. And I have loved doing just that.
But eventually the skeins of yarn were wound into balls (a delightful job that J and I shared one Sunday afternoon), and my bag was once again full of yarny goodness, waiting patinetly for a project.
But not any old project.
Oh no no no...it had to be the Perfect Project.
I did not want to rush it.
I pondered it.
I continued to cuddle-love-adore-and-fondle the yarn.
Pondered some more.
Considered a scarf.
Decided against.
And then.......I HAD IT!!!!!!!!!!!
The most Perfect Project suddenly sprang to mind.
The time was right.
It would be Perfect.
I emailed Emily straight away to tell her of my plans, and she was as excited as I was.
And so, a few weeks ago, I embarked on my Perfect Project and began to crochet...........
...........a ripple blanket.
I sat in bed with BB one morning and began to ripple.
Ripple ripple, ripple ripple.
Delicious.
The more I rippled ,the more I fell in love with the yarn and the colours.
Did I tell you how soft this yarn is??
How cuddly and lovable and adorable it is to work with?
It's just fabulous.
Perfect even.
Perfect yarn for the Perfect Project.
The above photo was taken this morning, and I would say I am almost half way there with this ripply project.
But oohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silly me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven't actually told you what the Perfect Project actually is, have I?
What these ripply ripples are to become?????
Well.........a blanket thats what.
A ripply blanket.
But not another Big Blanket, thats for sure, cos this one is much smaller.
A small, neat kind of blanket.
Neat and baby-sized.
Yes, I am making my first ever baby blanket......................
..............for an Attic24 Baby.
Like I say, the Perfect Project.
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Edited to add :: more details to follow, I am quite overwhelmingly emotional at the moment, so will tell you more very soon I promise. I just can't manage it today!
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congratulations!!!
Posted by: Nicky | September 10, 2009 at 04:58 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
So happy for you. Take care you lovely thing x
Posted by: lucy | September 10, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Yaaaaay! The secret is out!
Congratulations to all of you, and what a lucky baby to come into such a colourful happy home.
Keep safe and thankyou for sharing with me, I am so very honoured
Louise xx
Posted by: louise | September 10, 2009 at 05:00 PM
OH CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!! I am sooo happy for you. Oh, by the way I love the blanket lol ( what is that yarn ?? )
Posted by: Tania | September 10, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Many congratulations to you Lucy! Such exciting news!! When are you due?
Posted by: Lisa L-C | September 10, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Congratulations, how wonderful.I can see already its going to be a very colourful baby! :)
Posted by: Vivienne | September 10, 2009 at 05:08 PM
Great big happy congratulations on your new baby Lucy and what a splendidly stripey bump you have too!
Posted by: Jules | September 10, 2009 at 05:09 PM
conGRatuLAtions!!!! Such exciting news and what a perfect {!} project for that YUMMY yarn!
Posted by: Caz | September 10, 2009 at 05:10 PM
i squealed!!!! congratulations!!! im so happy for you!!
Posted by: Heather | September 10, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Many congratulations! I read your blog often.
Jackie :-)
Posted by: Jackie | September 10, 2009 at 05:11 PM
oh lucy, what a very nice exciting post today! all my best wishes for you and your family! xx katja (hamburg)
Posted by: katja | September 10, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Congratulations! Lovely,lovely news and what a special cuddly ripply blanket. Unlike me you look like you have allowed plenty of time - I was finishing mine off as my waters broke (two weeks early)!
Posted by: Marion L | September 10, 2009 at 05:14 PM
How Exciting!! Congratulations on the expected little one!
Posted by: Kris Van Allen | September 10, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Congratulations - Fabulously exciting news! How on earth did you manage to keep it quiet for so long - thats quite a bump lol. Lovely ripple blanket as well.
Posted by: Jane W | September 10, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Wonderful news - congratulations Lucy, so happy for you and your lovely family. That blanket looks wonderful - I must try and get some similar yarn and start hooking for my youngest son and his wife who are expecting their first baby next March. Thanks again for your brilliant inspiration.
Posted by: Jude | September 10, 2009 at 05:15 PM
WOW! That was a super surprise and a lovely photo....sending you warm wishes for a happy time.....xoxoxo
Jilly
Posted by: Jill Roberts | September 10, 2009 at 05:16 PM
That is wonderful news - so many congratulations! And even more reason to create warm, cuddly and cheerfully bright loveliness - perfect!
Posted by: Claire Hurd Design | September 10, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Ooooooohhhhhh how lovely! Congratulations!! You really deserve that lovely parcel. We all just love your ramberlings, i love your crochet news, your recipes( that everyone in our household love), and your fab photos. The Perfect Project is going to make your new addition the most colourful baby in Yorkshire!It is lovely. When are you due?
Love Carole in Rossendale xxxxxxx
Posted by: Carole | September 10, 2009 at 05:18 PM
ooh ooh ooh what exciting news, congratulations Lucy. That is going to be the best ever welcoming baby blankie.
And what a generous gift to receive I am always blown away by the generosity of bloggers.
Take care of yourself now
xx Clare
Posted by: Clare Taylor | September 10, 2009 at 05:18 PM
What fantastic news!! I am so happy for you. Even more reason than usual to put your feet up and crochet. Take care of yourself.
P.S. The baby blanket is soooo sweet.X
Posted by: Debbie | September 10, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Oh Lucy, I am almost in tears! Congrats. What a lucky little person to have a wonderful "colourful" Mummy like you. Congratulations to your whole family and thanks for your wonderful blog.
Posted by: Amanda | September 10, 2009 at 05:19 PM
WOW, if I wasn't already sitting down I would have had to!!!
I'm so thrilled for you!!! A perfect project for an even more perfect motive!!!
Congratulations on the event to come and the blanket to be which I'm sure will be finished very very soon for more projects to come!!!!!
Emily had a gread idea in sending you this present...
Wish I had thought of it!!!
Read you soon!!!
Keep us posted!!!
Posted by: Potiron | September 10, 2009 at 05:21 PM
OMG OMG OMG!! The excitement! Congratulations! That is fabulous news. Can't wait to hear more about Bump24. That is beautiful yarn in fabulous colours. I love the granny square book too.. might have to hunt that down.
Posted by: Dawn | September 10, 2009 at 05:23 PM
LUCY!!! My goodness- what a little secret keeper you are!!! You have done a fine job of not telling everyone.. Of Course NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE.. You havent felt well a good bit over the past couple of months- GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!! I have chills- I didnt squeal since I am at work but I wanted to!!! Looking forward to the new layer of your blogs!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Posted by: Sarah A | September 10, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Please please please tell us the brand of yarn - I can't make it out on the brand on the one photo with the label.
And congratulations!
Posted by: Jennifer B | September 10, 2009 at 05:24 PM